title: [Biology and differentiation of lymphocytes in the classification of lymphomas].
abstract: The classifications of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are briefly discussed and the processes of proliferation and differentiation of B and T lymphocytes are analyzed. The B and T lymphocytes engaged in the immune response arise from precursor cells through a two-cycle process of proliferation and differentiation: the first cycle produces cells with antigen receptors of varying specificity (resting circulating B and T lymphocytes); the second cycle produces B and T type effector cells and "memory" cells. Each phase of B and T differentiation can give rise to a type of lymphoma; in fact, malignant lymphomas can be divided into categories of precursor B and T cell lymphomas, resting B and T cell lymphomas and activated B and T cell lymphomas. Hodgkin's lymphoma could be considered a lymphoma arising from activated cells with atypical phenotype, i.e. Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells. These cells secrete cytokines which recruit lymphocytes, histiocytes, eosinophils and plasma cells which form the cellular background typical of this tumor.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Anatomia e Istologia patologica, Università, Ancona.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mariuzzi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Loreto
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mariuzzi
mesh_terms: D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
vernacular_title: Biologia e differenziazione dei linfociti per la classificazione dei linfomi.